Georgian special forces killed four and wounded one guerrilla during a Friday evening operation near the Pankisi gorge, an area reputed to be a shelter for Chechen rebels. One special forces member was seriously wounded during the operation, Security Minister Valery Khaburdzania told reporters on Saturday. He said that the guerrillas had taken a hostage and were trying to cross the border into Russia. They were members of the Karachai ethnic group of the North Caucasus. He also said the guerrillas might have been involved in the kidnapping of British businessman Peter Shaw, who was released after being held captive in the gorge for four months. (Interfax)